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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 10-01-03MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2003 The Ukiah City Council met at a Regular Meeting on October 1, 2003, the notice for which had been legally noticed and posted, at 6:32 p.m. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were present: Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. Councilmember absent: Rodin. Staff present: Public Utilities Director Barnes, Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Finance Director Elton, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Harris, City Manager Horsley, Planning Director Stump, City Attorney Rapport, Deputy Director of Public Works Seanor, Planning Director Stump, and Deputy City Clerk Ulvila. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Rick Seanor, Deputy Public Works Director, led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. PROCLAMATION 3a. Proclamation: October 5-11, 2003 is Nurse -Midwifery Week Mayor Larson read the Proclamation designating October 5-11, 2003 as Nurse - Midwifery Week in the City of Ukiah. Ms. Vivian White, CNM, representing women's health and Mendocino Health Center, accepted the Proclamation and thanked the City Council for recognizing nurse midwives. 3. PROCLAMATION 3b. Proclamation: October 8, 2003 Kids Walk to School Day Mayor Larson read the Proclamation designating October 8, 2003 as Kids Walk to School Day in the City of Ukiah. Ms. Terry Nieves from the Ukiah Unified School District accepted the Proclamation. She discussed promoting physical activity of children by walking to school. 3. INTRODUCTION 3c. Introduction of New Employee: ElizaBeth MacFarland, Payroll Officer Finance Director Elton introduced the City Council to ElizaBeth MacFarland, the Finance Department's Payroll Officer. He discussed her employment background and interests. ElizaBeth MacFarland stated that it's a pleasure to be working for the City and with fine people. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4a. Regular Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2003 Councilmember Andersen referred to page six, third paragraph, and noted that the vote for appointing Kevin Jennings to the Planning Commission should show that he and Councilmember Rodin voted "no". Deputy City Clerk Ulvila advised that she would check the voting record for that item. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 1 of 12 M/S Smith/Baldwin approving the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 16, 2003 as amended, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4b.Special Meeting Minutes of Joint City Council and Sanitation District of September 3, 2003 M/S Baldwin/Smith approving the minutes of the Special Meeting of a Joint City Council and Sanitation District of September 3, 2003 as presented, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4c. Regular Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2003 Councilmember Baldwin referred to page three, second paragraph under item "8b." recalling that it was Councilmember Andersen who inquired, and the sentence should read "Councilmember Andersen inquired whether a person could be in violation of State Vehicle Code and City Code at the same time." A consensus of the City Council confirmed that Councilmember Andersen asked the question, not Councilmember Baldwin. M/S Smith/Baldwin approving the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 3, 2003 as amended, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. 5. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Mayor Larson read the appeal process. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR M/S Andersen/Smith approving item "a" through "c" of the Consent Calendar as follows: a. Received Report to the City Council Regarding Acquisition of Services From Spencer Brewer For The Management/Production of the 2004 Sundays in the Park Concert Series in the Amount of $7,500; b. Adopted Resolution 2004-10 Extending a No Parking Zone and Establishing a Twenty Four -Minute Parking Zone Adjacent to 605 North State Street; c. Approved Notice of Completion For Construction of Improvements to Municipal Parking Lot C, Specification 03-11. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 2 of 12 7. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS Robert Wattenberger, W. Clay St., informed Council of several streetlights that are not working near City Hall. City Manager Horsley advised that she would look into the matter. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 8a. Authorization of City Manager to Execute Professional Services Agreement With W -Trans, Inc., In The Amount of $40,000 For Completion of the Downtown Parking Study and Approval of Budget Amendment Community Services Director DeKnoblough advised that due to the downtown revitalization efforts and resulting significant increase in parking demand, Council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals seeking consultant services to provide accurate and detailed analysis of existing Downtown parking conditions. Nine proposals were submitted and, after a careful review by a selected committee, W -Trans, Inc. was selected at a cost of $40,000. He noted that the three finalist were every qualified, however, staff was impressed with W -Trans enthusiasm for public participation and willingness to meet individually with downtown business owners and organizations. A budget amendment is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $40,000. He recommended that the budget amendment be split between the Parking District and the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency. Councilmember Andersen voiced his opposition to the use of parking meters in the downtown area. He inquired if the study could address the matter of bicycle parking in the downtown. Director DeKnoblough advised that the study would be coordinated with the Traffic Study that is being completed. He noted that W -Trans has stated their flexibility in working with staff and he would relay Council's concerns to them. He also noted that other issues might arise during the public meetings. M/S Baldwin/Smith authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with W - Trans for professional consulting services to complete the Downtown Parking Study and approve amendment to the 2003/04 budget increasing expenditures in account 220.4601.250.000 by $20,000; carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 8b. Discussion and Possible Selection of Ballot Measure For The March 2, 2004 Primary Election City Manager Horsley advised that at the May 21st meeting several items were discussed for possible ballot measures. A determination needs to be made regarding what ballot measures, if any, will be selected, so that the appropriate documents can be prepared for delivery to the County in November in order to qualify for the December 2nd Board of Supervisors' meeting. She discussed some of the issues that Council had previously discussed with regard to ballot measures, including a possible half -cent sales tax to be used for public safety purposes. She advised that a quarter -cent sales tax, Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 3 of 12 based on our current sales tax revenue, would provide an additional $942,000 per year and a half -cent sales tax would be $1,884,000. There was also some discussion by Council concerning the City Clerk position. Deputy City Clerk Ulvila has completed some research on two situations in other cities. In one city, the position was made appointed versus elected and the other where they modified the elected City Clerk's position and salary. Deputy City Clerk Ulvila explained that in 1998, the City of Lakeport had a ballot measure approved. The measure passed having the City Clerk's position appointed. The City of Cloverdale, rather than having a ballot measure, restructured the City Clerk's position administratively (in-house). Currently, the trend for City Clerks in California has been toward appointing City Clerks so that the city can select a qualified and experienced individual to fulfill the duties of the position. Approximately three- quarters of the Clerks in California are appointed. The City Clerk needs to remain impartial when dealing with the public, staff, and City Council. She has acquired information from both cities documenting how the measure was presented to the voters and the process for changing the duties of the position administratively. She highly recommended the City Clerks position be appointed so that a capable individual could be selected to fulfill the duties of that position. In response to questioning by Councilmember Andersen with regard to how the role of the City Clerk has changed over time, she explained that possibly at some time City Clerks had authority to make policy, however, at the present time, the City Clerk's position does not make any policy and the position is to carry out the rules established by the City Council. At the present time, City Clerks strive to remain impartial because they handle many legal documents and also during elections, it is important that the City Clerk treat all candidates equally. This holds true with responding to public inquiries as well. It was her opinion that if there were no residency requirement for the City Clerk's, more candidates would apply for the position. She noted that, should an individual be elected to the position that does not have the skills necessary to perform the job, other staff members would need to assist in completing those tasks. Councilmember Baldwin inquired as to the residency requirement for appointed City positions. City Attorney Rapport responded that it is difficult to devise a residency requirement for an appointed position that would withstand a constitutional challenge. However, it can be done if you can demonstrate that there needs to be a certain response time for a particular position and it would have to be based on time, not distance, and it would also have to be based on a study that could validate that the response time is essential to perform the job. City Clerk/Finance Director Elton explained that the City Clerk's position deals with a lot of technicalities and things with certain requirements. It takes knowledge and part of that knowledge is gained from experience, and a person walking in the door does not have unless they have done that job before. Many of those tasks are administrative in nature and he felt that having the position elected does not serve any public purpose that couldn't be equally or better served by having a well trained, skilled individual in Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 4 of 12 that position and performing those administrative tasks. He supported the position being appointed. City Attorney Rapport advised that the City Clerk is required by law to be the custodian of records for the City and the entire City is extremely dependent on that job being done properly. As the custodian, the City Clerk is responsible for making decisions about which records are retained, how they are file, when they are to be destroyed, and reviewing and implementing the records retention policy. Discussion followed with regard to the timeframe for preparation of the ballot measure questions to the County and for the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis on each ballot measure presented to the voters. There was also discussion of various options available to the City Council with regard to the City Clerk's position. It was noted by Staff that the measures have to be prepared for delivery to the County in November in order to qualify for the December 2nd Board of Supervisors meeting to consider the matter. Staff noted that Council needs to consider the arguments in favor of each measure. Councilmember Andersen noted that with regard to the City Clerk's position, there are two choices. Council could ask the voters to agree that the City Clerk's position should be appointed rather than elected, or the City Clerk's position could be retained as an elected position, with minimal duties and pay, and the appointed position of Deputy City Clerk would conduct the primary functions of the job. Mayor Larson advised that Council first present a ballot measure to the voters to make the position of City Clerk appointed rather than elected. Then, if that measure does not pass, Council could consider restructuring the City Clerk's position. He was supportive of presenting the measure to the voters in March and felt that the voters are beginning to understand the situation better. It's a matter of educating the voters as to the responsibilities and duties of the City Clerk's position so that they will not think they are losing any voting power. He discussed how the City's Treasurer position was restructured and many of the responsibilities and salary of the position were delegated to Staff. It is important to educate the voters as much as possible. It was the consensus of the City Council to present a ballot measure to the voters regarding making the City Clerk's position appointed rather than elected. Councilmember Rodin was absent. Some discussion followed with regard to the preparation of the argument in favor of the measure. It was noted that it might be necessary to speak to various community organizations to help them understand why this measure will be placed on the ballot. There was discussion by Council with regard to putting a measure on the ballot to change the office of Mayor to an appointed position from among the five elected Councilmembers. The voters would still be electing five individuals to the City Council but the Mayor's office would not be elected separately. The position of Mayor could then be rotated or decided among the Councilmembers. Mayor Larson discussed the history of the elected Mayoral position. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 5 of 12 Councilmember Baldwin discussed the current Mayor's duties and noted that the Mayor's stipend is the same as for the City Councilmembers. He discussed having a ballot measure making the term of office for an elected Mayor four years. He inquired if there would need to be a separate ballot measure in order to increase the Mayor's stipend. City Attorney Rapport explained that if Council wanted to increase the Mayor's salary beyond the normal cost of living increases that are permitted under the Election Code, then a ballot measure would be necessary. Councilmember Smith was of the opinion that the Mayor's term should be four years. His preference is to have five Councilmembers and that the Mayor be selected on a rotational basis among the five Councilmembers. His second choice would be to have the Mayor's term be four years. Councilmember Andersen was of the opinion that a ballot measure should be presented to the voters that all City Council positions be designated for two-year terms. In that way, the Mayor would continue to be elected for two years, as it currently stands, and there would be four Councilmembers with the same term. City Attorney Rapport advised that he was unsure if the option of having all of the Councilmembers terms reduced to two years is available under the Government Code. Because the position of an elected Mayor is an option, the voters can be given the option of making it a two or four-year term. Mayor Larson advised that he favors a two-year term for Mayor because it gives the voters an opportunity to address their favor or disfavor with the Council and every two years all Councilmembers are up for election that allow for more frequency for challenges. He opposed a four-year term for Mayor because very few Mayors have served more than one term after serving one or more terms as a Councilmember. Councilmember Smith explained that after hearing the Mayor's argument, he now supports the Mayor being elected as a City Councilmember and then the Mayor's position being rotated among the Councilmembers, rather than a four-year term. Councilmember Baldwin explained that he favors numbered seats for Council. He preferred to have a four-year elected term for Mayor and a rotational term on the ballot. Mayor Larson proposed the formation of a commission of interested citizens and elected officials to explore ideas to come up with a plan or incorporate something into a community survey that would provide the commission with an idea of how to proceed. He felt there needs to be a measure that is clear to the voters and would benefit the community. After some discussion on the matter, it was the consensus of the Council to not put a measure on the ballot in March concerning the position of Mayor. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 6 of 12 Mayor Larson explained that Council previously discussed presenting a ballot measure to the voters regarding a sales tax increase that would be dedicated to public safety spending. He explained that there had been much support from the Council and the community. He explained that the City of Ukiah couldn't anticipate reliable funding from the State of California. He advocated keeping local taxes local and in the hands of local officials who can determine how the funds would be spent locally in order to provide the best services they can. A certain amount of those funds would be dedicated to fire and safety equipment for the Fire Department as well as the heavy equipment, such as trucks that will be needed in the coming years. It was the consensus of the Council that a half -cent increase in sales tax should be presented as a ballot measure to the voters in March 2004. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 8c. Discussion and Consideration of Revision to Inland Water and Power Commission's JPA City Manager Horsley advised that the Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC or Commission) have asked the City to review the requested revisions to the IWPC's JPA. Two attorneys' opinions are included in the Staff Report. The two main issues under consideration are the Right of First Refusal and participating in any litigation or administrative proceedings. City Attorney Rapport explained that currently, the prohibition only applies to litigation or administrative proceedings that involve the member's water right or contract right relating to water, and only if the member does not consent to that participation. If a member wants to pursue either a water right or a project to develop new water, they have to notify the Commission that they are intending to do that and provide them with certain information about the project that they are proposing to undertake. The Commission has six months in which to notify the member whether the Commission will undertake that project rather the member doing it individually. He went on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of removing the Right of First Refusal, and limitation on participating in litigation and administrative proceedings, as referenced in the Staff Report. Usually the whole point of JPA's is that two or more agencies want to collaborate together in pursuing some common goal. It was his opinion that the changes to the litigation and administrative proceedings provision seems to be problematic because administrative proceedings could include many things, which he described in his Memorandum to the City Council. Taking that language out and making it apply to any administrative proceeding and removing the option of the member to give consent, could have unintended consequences. He recommended that the City find out more about the County's concern for making that change, then see if there is a way to address that concern without accidentally creating other problems with the Commission participating in some of the types of proceedings that it was really set up to participate in. Discussion followed with regard to the timeframe for a Commission member to inform the Commission they are not interested in participating in a project, and also the Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 7 of 12 timeframe for the Commission to act on a project. The importance of holding public meetings to discuss projects was noted. Mayor Larson was of the opinion that both legal opinions concur that this could not only compromise activities of members but also allow for the use of that freedom to thwart other members' efforts. City Attorney Rapport explained that it is worded so if any member wanted to stop the Commission from being a party to any of these administrative proceedings, all they would have to do is become a member and party to that proceeding themselves. He was not sure that was what the County intended and he would like to know why the County changed it and what they were concerned about. There may be a way to revise that provision to address that concern without having that unintended consequence. Richard Shoemaker clarified that he is not in attendance to represent the Mendocino County Water Agency or the Board of Supervisors. He discussed the County's negotiations regarding the Masonite water rights. He explained that both attorneys agree that the Right of First Refusal does not change the fact that the IWPC is a partnership and its partners can take on projects together. He explained that this Right of First Refusal gives the IWPC the ability to coerce cooperation and it could force people into doing projects or giving up their projects and he didn't think it is the intent of the JPA agreement. Councilmember Baldwin was of the opinion that the big issue is storage of water that comes to us at the wrong time in order to meet the needs of users now and in the future. City Manager Horsley felt that there should be development of an agreement or policy of a water agency that would state that any excess water developed by the water agency would go first to the needs of those agencies within Mendocino County. She advised that another issue is new water rights verses existing water rights. Councilmember Baldwin read a portion of Attorney Rossmann's letter and felt that it supported City Attorney Rapport's letter concerning enactment of the amendment that would remove the one positive, collective authority of the Commission over individual water project development. Mr. Shoemaker was of the opinion that the amendment deprives the Commission of coercive authority to force unity. Councilmember Andersen stated that he has no interest, as a City Councilmember, in sharing Ukiah's water with Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, or anyone because we are dangerously close to not having enough water in the City limits. He does not want to be a member of a Commission that has a Right of First Refusal on a developable water right that we can find. He felt that what is needed in the North Coast region is a serious, comprehensive water policy. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 8 of 12 Councilmember Smith was of the opinion that there is a need to pay attention to the trust factor and found it hard to believe that the County activated the Water Agency to the detriment of the rest of us. He would be supportive of removing the First Right of Refusal portion because he does not see how it interferes with the City working on projects. Mayor Larson was of the opinion that he was also supportive of removing the First Right of Refusal language. He understood the Water Agency's perspective that this extremely inhibiting issue and also that each individual agency is going to be free to pursue its own water rights. He did not agree that we could function independently of any other agency, Potter Valley included. He agreed that a water management plan needs to be developed. There should be some kind of written guarantee that the agencies aren't going to be hurt by this has to be coupled with the elimination of these restrictions because they provide a certain amount of assurance to member agencies to be able to have some recourse regarding these projects. Councilmember Baldwin concurred with the Mayor's comments. He questioned the message of "we are going alone". He referred to the April 12th letter to Roland Sanford and noted that the benefit mentioned is not the Ukiah valley, the people, or the users, but to benefit both agencies. He felt it is a question of teamwork and collaboration. Rosalind Peterson, P.O. Box 499, Redwood Valley, discussed issues concerning Redwood Valley County Water District's filing and their working with the County Water Agency to supply water to various users. Councilmember Smith voiced his support the removal of the JPA but was uncertain about why the Board of Supervisors wants to remove the limitation on participating in litigation in administrative proceedings. Councilmember Baldwin explained that he would like to see us protect the only power given to the JPA and support it. He suggested that we encourage the County Water Agency to bring a project forward and see how it works because they always maintain the right to drop out if they find that the JPA causes a stumbling block. He was in agreement with Councilmember Andersen that the second amendment could be resolved. Mayor Larson polled Council with regard to the removal of the Right of First Refusal from the agreement: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen and Smith. NOES: Councilmember Baldwin and Mayor Larson. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. He summarized that the result of the vote is for instruction to the delegate to "take no action" on the matter. With regard to the limitation on participating in litigation in administrative proceedings and to modify the language to address the concerns expressed by both legal opinions: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 9 of 12 It was the consensus of the Council that the City's representative should convey the concerns of Council regarding both issues. 9:29 p.m.: Recessed 9:33 p.m.: Reconvened 9. NEW BUSINESS 9a. Adoption Of Resolution Establishing The Schedule Of Fees and Rates For Garbage and Recycling Collection Service For 2003/2004 Finance Director Elton advised that the provisions of the City's franchise agreement with Solid Wastes Systems, Inc., for the collection, transportation and disposal of garbage and the recycling of recyclable materials within the city limits requires that an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment be made to the garbage and recycling collection rates. Pursuant to the provisions of the Refuse Collection and Recycling Franchise Agreement, he recommended adoption of the draft resolution that increases the previous garbage collection and recycling fees and rates by the total adjustment factor of 1.95%. Discussion followed with regard to the rate increase, how the rate increase would affect the users, and how the new recycling machine works. Director Elton resumed explaining about customers' usage and noted that on the average, customers would see a $.26 per month increase. There was some discussion concerning the recycling stream and it was noted by staff that Solid Waste Systems purchased a second machine. It was noted by staff that Solid Waste Systems has purchased additional recycling bins for apartment buildings and the City received about 20 new bins for its City's parks. A brief discussion was had with regard to the lack of recycling containers at gas stations. M/S Baldwin/Smith adopting Resolution 2004-11 establishing the schedule of fees and rates for garbage and recycling collection services for 2003/2004 fiscal year, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9b. Report Regarding the Annual Northern California Power Agency Legislative Tour Visit to the City of Ukiah Public Utilities Director Barnes advised that the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) annually sponsors an informational tour of NCPA projects and member cities for staff members of elected representatives. On October 15, 2003, the legislative tour is scheduled to stop in the City of Ukiah. A luncheon has been planned for the tour participants, City Staff, and City Council members. A tour of Maverick Industries is also scheduled. Councilmember Smith explained that the tour of Maverick Industries has been arranged with the intent to demonstrate to the legislative staff how some of the local business rate users operate in small communities. He was going to ask that the NCPA Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 10 of 12 tour leaders provide an overview of some of the issues they are trying to convey to the legislative staff while they are in Ukiah so that Council could hear first hand. NCPA members were asked if they would sign a letter to Secretary of Energy Abraham relative to establishing that Federal control area. He requested Council's approval for the Mayor to sign the letter that was included with the fax sheet. M/S Smith/Baldwin to include an Urgency Item on the agenda regarding approval of letter to the Secretary of Energy to be signed by the Mayor relative to establishing a Federal control area; carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. M/S Smith/Andersen approving sending a letter to the Secretary of Energy to be signed by the Mayor relative to establishing a Federal control area and carried by a unanimous voice vote of the City Council. Councilmember Rodin absent. Councilmember Smith advised that on October 23rd, NCPA will be meeting in Healdsburg and a tour of the Geysers is planned for the afternoon. He will provide Council with noticing if anyone wants to attend. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9c. Designation of City Council Representative to Mendocino Transit Authority Mayor Larson advised that Councilmember Roy Smith has been the City Council's representative to the Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) for several years and has requested the appointment of another Councilmember to fill the post. MTA notified him that the City Council needs to appoint the delegate by Resolution. After some discussion with regard to selecting a Councilmember to serve on the MTA Board, Councilmember Andersen volunteered for the position. M/S Baldwin/Smith appointing Councilmember Andersen as representative to the Mendocino Transit Authority; carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin. 10.COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Andersen reported that Jerry Gall provided him with a tour of the wastewater treatment plant and he found it very interesting. He also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Grace Hudson School and the Ukiah Players auction. He noted that next week the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors would be discussing the Housing Element. He noted that his employer has completed a study on housing and it will be available soon. He went on to discuss development in the Ukiah Valley and the lack of lower income housing. Councilmember Smith reported that he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ukiah Valley Medical Center and Grace Hudson School dedication. Next week he plans to attend a NCPA meeting in Squaw Valley. He has a copy of NCPA's annual report. Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 11 of 12 Mayor Larson reported that he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ukiah Valley Medical Center and the Grace Hudson School dedication. This Friday there will be a dedication of the Recreation Center. He attended a meeting of the Russian River Watershed Association and found it very interesting. They hired an Executive Director and adopted a budget, which the City will be administering. 11. CITY MANGER/CITY CLERK REPORTS City Manager Horsley advised that a letter has been drafted regarding a job housing grant that can be used for certain purposes and show what the City can do to help local businesses. The letter will be distributed to individual businesses. The course will be held over a two-day period. She discussed public comments concerning streetlights and discussed the process of reporting and fixing them. City Attorney Rapport advised that the City has been sued in a Class Action lawsuit. All damages have been dismissed in the case. The lawsuit is in regards to emergency drunk driving costs. 12. CLOSED SESSION 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Marie Ulvila, Deputy City Clerk Regular City Council Meeting October 1, 2003 Page 12 of 12